The document discusses the impacts of climate change on soil water and irrigation, and proposed adaptation strategies. It notes that rising temperatures are predicted to increase water demand for agriculture while changing rainfall patterns may increase or decrease water needs. Meeting rising food demand will require more efficient irrigation methods. The document then outlines specific climate change impacts and adaptation strategies proposed for various countries, such as improved water infrastructure, more efficient irrigation, and development of drought-resistant crop varieties. Key challenges to implementing adaptation strategies are also discussed.

1. WG2: SOIL WATER, IRRIGATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE

2. Eulampius Frederick Saint Lucia Vardhui Surmalyan Armenia Eranga Sampath Sri Lanka Samuel Karongo Kenya Group Members Cristina Sosa Sosa Ecuador

4. Introduction Climate Change is defined as statistically significant variation in either mean state of the climate or in its variability, persisting for an extended period (typically decades or longer). Climate change may be due to natural internal processes or external forcing or to persistent anthropogenic changes in the composition of the atmosphere or in land use (IPCC, 2001).

5. Introduction The average predicted temperature increase over the next 100 years is around 3 degrees centigrade. This compares to an increase of about 1 degree centigrade due to previous man-made greenhouse gas emissions (Source: IPCC) If the predicted increases in greenhouse gas concentrations are then translated into temperature changes, a global temperature increase of between 1 and 5.5 degrees centigrade is predicted for 2100 (Source: IPCC)

6. Introduction change in rainfall patterns rise in temperatures and sea level potential droughts habitat loss heat stress floods Effects of Climate Change include

9. Sprinkler systems (efficiency 70-80%) Drip systems (efficiency 90-95% ) Furrow irrigation (efficiency 30- 50 %) Irrigation

10. Predictions

11. UNDP study - national scenarios forecast over next century Increase of climate aridity and intensification of desertification processes Plant cultivation reduction efficiency 8-14% Decrease in precipitation of about 9 % and annual river flow 15 % Armenia

16. Problems

21. Reduced soil moisture Reduced availability of water for agriculture Loss of arable land Armenia

22. Adaptation Strategies How to overcome these problems? Examples and the solutions done in each country

23. Planning efficient use of water resources Improving water infrastructure for irrigation Integrating climate adaptation for agricultural sector development Armenia

30. Conclusions text Water scarcity remains one of the main problems arising from climate change. Rainfall patterns are expected to change The economic development of emerging countries will depend on how they empower their small farmers to adapt to climate change, i.e. training them on the use of efficient irrigation systems Need for more research and financial and technical support to cope with climate change

31. Danke